Rice contract the present every West Ham fan wanted

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: Declan Rice of West Ham United celebrates after Felipe Anderson of West Ham United scores his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on December 27, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: Declan Rice of West Ham United celebrates after Felipe Anderson of West Ham United scores his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on December 27, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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Christmas may have been last week but Delcan Rice just gave West Ham fans the present we all wanted. A brand new, long term contract with the club.

It’s been an issue for the last 6 months (at least) and one that all West Ham fans were in agreement about. Declan Rice is a class player, and he needed a new contract. For a while it looked as though dispute with management and ownership may enable big teams to swoop in at the end of the season, but now it has been sorted and all is well.

Rice has been a standout performer for the Hammers, and in terms of young players in the league. Whilst youngsters like Richarlison and Sane grab headlines for scoring goals and flashy play, Rice’s consistency in the heart of the midfield and maturity under deserve just as much praise. He has to be in the running for young player of the season, and now he has a new contract to show for it.

And it’s not just us singing his praises, look at the reaction on social media.

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Quite simply, Rice has the potential to be a future legend of the club, and when Noble does hang up his boots it’s more than likely that Rice will take his place as captain. His leadership on the pitch already is admirable and I doubt there’s many who will be taking that armband off of him in a few years time.

The other big thing are the words of Pellegrini. This is a man who has taken charge of top teams including Manchester City and Real Madrid. For him to come out and say he is the best youngster he’s ever worked with is pretty special. And not necessary. It would have been big enough praise to say he was one of the best. But the best? We really do have a talent on our hands here.

When the news was announced I imagine there were quite a few big teams disappointed. Here was a young player, already at top Premier League standard, who was ready to be moulded by a manager into any of the top sides. Now he’s a Hammer and the commitment is clear. No-one’s taking our Rice.